David J. Krings
County Administrator of the Year Award
Est. 2026
Background
The Dave J. Krings County Administrator of the Year Award was established to honor the legacy of Dave Krings, a devoted public servant known for his integrity, humility, and dedication to the community. This award recognizes an outstanding County Administrator who has made significant contributions to County Administration and local government, embodying the values that Dave held dear. The award is conferred by the NACA Executive Board and celebrates a County Administrator whose service has been judged by peers as exemplary and impactful.
Key Factors of the Award
-
A consistent pattern of leadership roles and leadership in regional, state, and national management associations, reflecting Dave's commitment to professional excellence.
-
A pattern of support to peers, colleagues, and young professionals entering the field as a mentor, counselor, or advisor, mirroring Dave's dedication to mentoring and guiding others.
-
The nominee has shown a strong commitment to advocating for everyone in the community, including underprivileged populations and marginalized groups. This includes efforts to improve policies, programs, and services. The nominee is a strong voice for the value of county government in the lives of all residents and its vital role in the success of communities.
-
The nominee embodies the values of integrity and humility, much like Dave did throughout his career. This includes being honest, compassionate, and true to one's word, and demonstrating a commitment to the highest ideals of ethical public service, as espoused in the ICMA Code of Ethics. The nominee not only sets an example of ethical leadership and service, but also is an advocate for ethics as the foundation of a public service career.
-
Development of a special area of expertise that has been recognized both within the community and by peers, demonstrating Dave's ability to excel and be recognized in his field.
-
A demonstrated commitment to thought leadership to advance the state of the art and practice, evidenced by writing, conference participation, contributions to research, and/or involvement in task forces and committees, reflecting Dave's dedication to advancing the profession.
Eligibility for the Award
Nominations
A nomination for the County Administrator of the Year Award may be made by any individual with the exception of NACA staff or current board members.
Self-nominations will not be accepted.
Service & Membership
Nominees must be current County Administrator and active member of NACA.
Minimum of seven (7) years serving in as a County Administrator.
Nomination Process
Application
OPENS: Jan 1, 2026 CLOSES: Feb 28, 2026
NACA accepts nominations through the online form. If there are issues with the form, you can email documents to the NACA Secretariat
Ensure all nominations are complete with the required letters of recommendation.
->
Review/Selection and Notification of Awardee
Mar 1 - 15, 2026
The NACA Awards committee and NACA Executive Board reviews nominations and selects the awardee.
Awardee is notified once the selection has been made.
->
Preparation for Award Ceremony
April - October 2026
Following the notification, the Awardee will be offer the David J. Krings Scholarship to attend ICMA Annual Conference and the Award Ceremony held at the County Administrator Idea Exchange.
Logistics and planning is coordinated with NACA Staff and the Awardee.
Nominate Today
The County Administrator of the Year Award is a tribute to the enduring legacy of David J. Krings. Throughout his distinguished career, Dave exemplified the highest ideals of public service—integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to community. His influence on county administration and local government continues to inspire generations of leaders. A humbled thank you to the Krings family for their support and collaboration in creating this award in his memory.
Left: David J. Krings; Right: Chris Krings, wife of David Krings.